In this special episode, Mark Gregston shares insights on why it is so important to seek out wise, biblical counsel when dealing with an out-of-control or struggling child. In addition to sharing his own personal story of family hardship, Mark recounts some stories from parents he's worked with over the years who had very different challenges with their teens, but all found the only way forward was to accept the truth and seek wisdom. Listen in now! For more on how to deal with the most challeng...
Aug 17, 2022•32 min•Season 1Ep. 563
Every teen whose parents get divorced copes with the situation differently, but sometimes when mom and dad go their separate ways, it can leave the child with a sense of abandonment. In this episode, Mark Gregston chats with a few Heartlight teens, including a 17-year-old who came to Heartlight to work through the grief and anger his parents' divorce left him with. Don't miss his insightful interview! Want to learn more about the residential counseling services at Heartlight? Check out heartligh...
Aug 16, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 562
When you think of "parenting with grace," what comes to mind? Is it the elimination of consequences for your teen's bad decisions? That shouldn't be the case! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd explain that approaching a child with grace does not mean they don't receive consequences, but it DOES mean you will continue to love them no matter what they've done wrong. Tune in for more on this great topic! Need some more help setting up healthy expectations for your teen? Check out Ma...
Aug 15, 2022•15 min•Season 1Ep. 561
Like most parents of teens, you might be familiar with your child answering "I don't know," when you try to ask them about their thoughts or even how their day went. So, how do you get past the wall of "I don't know?" In this episode, Mark Gregston shares some questions you can begin to ask your teen to genuinely engage them and get to their hearts — eventually, they might start to ask YOU deeper questions too! Don't miss this special episode! Do you have a parenting question you'd like to hear ...
Aug 12, 2022•12 min•Season 1Ep. 560
Most teens, at their core, just want to know there is no mistake they could make that would cause their parents to love them less. Mark Gregston is joined by Wayne Shepherd to discuss why it is SO important for you to communicate unconditional love to your teen. So many things in today's culture are conditional or performance-based — the integrity of your relationship with your child shouldn't be. Tune in for this great discussion! Looking for more insight on how to genuinely connect with your t...
Aug 11, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 559
One of the fastest ways to damage your relationship with your teen is to constantly demand perfection or place unreasonable expectations on them — you may have great intentions, but it could leave your teen feeling as if they'll never be good enough. Mark Gregston recounts his personal experience with someone who demanded perfection along with some comments from Heartlight teens who share what it's like to have constant pressure from parents. Tune in now! Moms, you have a tough job! That's why t...
Aug 10, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 558
On today's episode, Mark Gregston sits down with a couple of Heartlight teens, including Emily, who is just about to graduate from the residential counseling program. When Emily first arrived at Heartlight, she struggled deeply with depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts and more, but in the months she spent on campus, she learned to love herself again. Tune in to hear how she plans to tackle her future after returning home! Do you have a teen caught in a downward spiral? Check out Mark's book, ...
Aug 09, 2022•23 min•Season 1Ep. 557
Doing everything for your children when they're little is totally acceptable — but when they become teens, continuing to attend to their every need will only enable their selfishness. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about the steps you can take to model selflessness for your kids and ensure they don't grow up to be self-centered adults. Don't miss this important topic! For more on how to help guide your teen toward healthy independence, read Mark's article, "Balanced Paren...
Aug 08, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 556
Today's teens are living in a culture that is often vile and full of demeaning language, and not surprisingly, this is reflected in today's popular music. So if your teen is listening to music you don't approve of, should you put a stop to it? Is it a battle worth fighting? In this episode, Mark Gregston addresses this question, along with several others, including how to separate mental health issues from behavioral problems, what to do when your child refuses to talk to you and more! Have a pa...
Aug 05, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 555
If you're a grandparent — or will become one someday — you'll need to examine your relationship with your grandkids and what impression you are leaving upon their hearts. You have wisdom they desperately need, but if you are constantly nitpicking or making your grandkids feel judged, they won't be open to receiving it. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd chat about how you can have a flourishing relationship with your grandchildren. Listen in for some great advice! Looking for more...
Aug 04, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 554
How well do you truly know your children? Do you spend time listening to them at the dinner table? Or is that time simply spent lecturing your teen? In this devotional, Mark Gregston shares the importance of sitting down and asking your teens genuine, well-intentioned questions about their lives and interests — and NOT immediately sharing your opinions. Listen in for more advice on how to build trust with your teen! For more resources that will help you create a healthy and respectful relationsh...
Aug 03, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 553
When teens push down deep wounds, such as grief and low self-worth, those repressed emotions will eventually explode — often in very unhealthy ways. In this episode, Mark Gregston chats with a couple of teens who are Heartlight residents, including one young lady who lost her father in a brutally traumatic way and struggled to process her grief and heartbreak on her own. At Heartlight, she was able to transform her pain and anger into hope, so don't miss her story! For more insight on why your t...
Aug 02, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 552
As the back-to-school season rapidly approaches, your teen might be nervous about returning to the pressures of middle school or high school. So how can you, as a parent, help shift their gaze away from what could go wrong and focus on the positives instead? Mark Gregston is joined by Wayne Shepherd to share advice for parents on how to come alongside their kids and help them make this the best school year yet. Tune in for their insights! Need some more encouragement on this topic? Download Mark...
Aug 01, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 551
So, your teen has declared they no longer want to go to church — what now?! In this episode, Mark Gregston sits down to answer some tough questions, including what a parent's response should be when their teen decides they don't believe in God or they hate attending church. It might be time to examine whether your child's God-given gifts are actually being nurtured in your church, or if they feel like they've been pushed away. Don't miss this important discussion! Have your own parenting questio...
Jul 29, 2022•25 min•Season 1Ep. 550
Do you know how to tell if you have a good, healthy relationship with your teenager? Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share FIVE markers you can use to gauge how well you're connecting with your teen and where you could do better. A great starting point is to simply spend more one-on-one time with them! Listen in for more of Mark and Wayne's tips. For some extra help fine-tuning your parenting approach, check out Mark's Parenting Toolbox at bit.ly/3tGbSMb Our Sponsors: * Check out Stride K12: ht...
Jul 28, 2022•14 min•Season 1Ep. 549
As kids enter their teen years, they get completely bombarded by information, gossip and negative messaging from media sources all around them. Unfortunately, as your teen's head spins with all the info, they can begin to view people as unworthy of respect — especially people in authority. In this devotional, Mark Gregston focuses on how you can maintain the respect you have cultivated with your child throughout their teen years and beyond. Want to learn more about what the Bible says about pare...
Jul 27, 2022•19 min•Season 1Ep. 548
Adopted teens — and their parents — often have a unique set of challenges throughout the adolescent years as the teen explores questions about their birth parents. Mark sits down to chat with some Heartlight teens, including a 16-year-old boy who was adopted at a very young age. He explains that he struggled to feel a real, genuine attachment to his adoptive parents, which led to fights in the home. Tune in now to hear his story! If you have an adopted teen in your family, check out Mark's FREE ...
Jul 26, 2022•21 min•Season 1Ep. 547
No matter how well-intentioned they are, many parents have habits they may not even be aware of that drive their teens crazy and damage the relationship. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd go over some of the most common parenting pitfalls you might stumble into that can end up pushing your teen away from you. Listen in now to hear their advice! Need some more ideas on how to keep a close relationship with your teen? Check out Mark's article, "The Greatest Gift to Give Your Teen,"...
Jul 25, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 546
Most parents experience their teens breaking their trust. But what if you've given multiple chances and the behavior continues? On today's episode, Mark answers some of your most pressing questions on the topic of trust. Kids are going to break your trust ... but you can use those situations as teachable moments. Whether you've given them two chances or 20, don't give up. Consequences should be given, but should go hand in hand with encouragement to make the right decisions in the future. Tune i...
Jul 22, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 545
Parents are engaging with their kids more than ever before, but when those same kids grow up thinking the world revolves around them, they're in for a rude awakening. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd discuss what happens when you've lost authority with your teen. Tune in to hear Mark and Wayne answer questions from listeners, as well as share how to have a good relationship with your kids — while not losing authority. For more information on what to do when your teen is not resp...
Jul 21, 2022•13 min•Season 1Ep. 544
As kids enter their teen years, they become increasingly aware of how uncertain the world can be. They are surrounded by news of wars, school shootings, natural disasters and other anxiety-inducing information — on top of the normal social pressures they face in day-to-day life. Mark Gregston shares a devotional to encourage you to be the certain, steadfast presence your kids so desperately need in their lives. Tune in for his insights! For more tips and insight on navigating the challenging tee...
Jul 20, 2022•24 min•Season 1Ep. 543
So many teens battle depression and other mental health issues, and as parents, it's extremely important to be able to identify cries for help when your teen is in a dark place. In this episode, Mark Gregston has conversations with both current and former Heartlight teens, including a brave young woman who is recovering from injuries caused by a suicide attempt. Tune in to hear her powerful story of finding hope for her future! If you have a teen that is struggling with self-harm, please check o...
Jul 19, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 542
Can you remember when someone gave you a second chance after you made a mistake? In the harsh world we live in, your teens need that grace from you, too! In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd talk about how you need to recognize that your child WILL inevitably make mistakes, and you should be ready to give them more chances to get it right. Don't miss this discussion! For more on the small changes you can make that add up to a great relationship with your child, read Mark's article, ...
Jul 18, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 541
Creating a home environment with balanced, reasonable rewards and consequences can be crucial for your teen's growth into an independent adult — but it's not an easy process. In this episode, Mark Gregston answers more great questions from parents just like you who want to see their teens succeed. He shares tips on how to avoid arguments, set up house rules for your teen's boyfriend or girlfriend, and more! Listen in now! In the midst of your own parenting dilemma? Ask Mark about it! Submit ques...
Jul 15, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 540
It's okay for teens to feel guilt when they do something they know is wrong — but when parents then approach them with shame-filled comments and criticisms, it can cause damage that lasts a lifetime. In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd sit down to discuss the importance of implementing natural consequences for your teen WITHOUT any shame piled on top. Listen in for more on how to discipline your teen without damaging the relationship! Mark's article, "Five Things Every Parent Needs...
Jul 14, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 539
Parenting teenagers is no walk in the park — especially when your child is going through a difficult phase and declaring they don't need you anymore. If you have unresolved hurts in your own heart, their behavior can leave you feeling lost and rejected. Mark Gregston shares a heartfelt devotional about how important it is for you, as a parent, to spend time reflecting on who YOU are and any lingering traumas you may have so that you can begin a true journey of authenticity with your child. For m...
Jul 13, 2022•16 min•Season 1Ep. 538
Experiencing trauma and betrayal at a young age can leave a lasting, devastating impact on a teen's life, and sometimes they need a helping hand to lead them out of the darkness. Mark Gregston interviews two Heartlight teens who share their stories of transformation, including one young woman who found freedom and healing through learning to trust in Jesus. Don't miss these impactful stories! Interested in learning more about Heartlight's residential counseling center? Please visit heartlightmin...
Jul 12, 2022•22 min•Season 1Ep. 537
Practically every parent can think of things their child does that are bothersome, but are you spending too much time correcting — or worse — nagging your teen about the little things? In this episode, Mark Gregston and Wayne Shepherd share how important it is for you to have the right motives and timing when giving feedback or corrections to your teen. Listen in now to hear their advice! Looking for more tips on how to navigate talking to your teen about their behavior? Read Mark's article, "Th...
Jul 11, 2022•18 min•Season 1Ep. 536
Do you make a point to sit down with your teen at least once a week and simply spend some time with them? If not, it may be time to start! In this special episode, Mark Gregston shares a list of conversation starters for you to use with your teen in the midst of a conflict or to encourage them to open up about the challenges they face. Listen in now for Mark's tips on how to have meaningful conversations with your child! Have a parenting challenge you'd like to ask Mark about? Submit it here: bi...
Jul 08, 2022•17 min•Season 1Ep. 535
Mark Gregston is joined by Wayne Shepherd to discuss how parents should naturally fall into the role of being a moral compass for their kids as they navigate through their adolescent years. Teens can get lost pretty easily — and it's YOUR job as a parent to spend some time understanding the world and culture they live in. After all, you can't navigate well with outdated maps! Don't miss this important discussion! For more on helping your teen find their calling in life, take a look at Mark's art...
Jul 07, 2022•11 min•Season 1Ep. 534
